The act of knitting is a meditative one. It requires focus and discipline, but the reward for your hard work is a beautiful finished product. That’s why it’s so satisfying to get started on a project and see those little stitches come together into something that you can wear!
You’ll want to play around with different stitches, colours and textures until you find something you love.
But what if I told you there was another way? Instead of just sitting down at your trusty old loom or needles, take some time out from your busy schedule and make yourself an absolute stunner of a sweater – without even having to leave the house!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Sweater knitting can seem daunting, but with the right tools, patterns, and techniques, anyone can learn to create beautiful handmade sweaters. |
| When choosing a pattern, it’s important to consider your skill level, the style of sweater you want to create, and the type of yarn you’ll be using. |
| Sweater knitting typically involves a variety of techniques, including casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, and seaming. |
| To ensure that your sweater fits properly, it’s important to take accurate measurements, swatch your yarn, and follow the pattern instructions closely. |
| With patience, practice, and a spirit of determination, sweater knitting can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter. |
From choosing yarns to sizing up patterns, we’ve compiled 11 essential tips for making sweaters from scratch (or at least from beginning).
1. Measure Up
To get started, you need to measure yourself. Here’s what you’ll want to take measurements for:
- Shoulders: Measure from one shoulder to the other across your back
- Chest: Measure around the fullest part of your chest and neck (this will be where you’re wearing it on your body)
- Waist/Hips: Measure around these areas as well, which is where the sweater will fall overtop of when worn normally.
- Arms: Measure from wrist to elbow, or just above where a sweatshirt would normally hit at its longest point—ideally if this measurement falls between 14″ and 18″. If it’s more than that, try sizing down in length; if it’s less than that, size up!
If you’re new to the world of crochet, our Ultimate Guide to Crochet for Beginners is the perfect place to start. From the basics of crochet to tips and tricks for getting started, this guide has everything you need to know to get started with this popular craft.
2. Choose Your Yarn
The next step is to choose your yarn. You’ll want to consider the weight, fibre content, fibre type and colour before making your choice.
The best way to do this is by looking at the yarn’s label (if it has one) or by searching for similar patterns using that specific brand of yarn as a reference point.
One thing you may not have considered when choosing your yarn is the price. Yarn comes in many different price ranges from very inexpensive to very expensive but it’s important not to let cost get in the way of choosing an appropriate style and colour for your project – especially if you’re knitting something special or customised!
Yarn Options for Sweater Knitting
| Yarn Type | Characteristics | Recommended Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Warm, durable, and elastic; comes in a variety of weights and textures | Ideal for winter sweaters, cable knits, and textured patterns |
| Cashmere | Soft, lightweight, and luxurious; often blended with other fibers | Perfect for lightweight sweaters and delicate patterns |
| Cotton | Lightweight, breathable, and easy to care for; available in a range of colors | Great for summer sweaters and simple, classic styles |
| Alpaca | Soft, warm, and lightweight; hypoallergenic and available in a range of natural colors | Ideal for cozy, warm sweaters and textured patterns |
| Merino | Soft, warm, and itch-free; available in a variety of weights and colors | Perfect for sweaters that will be worn close to the skin, as well as baby clothes and blankets |
3. Understand Knitting Gauge
The first step to knitting a sweater is understanding how to measure and adjust your knitting gauge.
If you’re new to the craft, this may seem intimidating. However, it isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds.
To measure the gauge of your knitting, you need to knit a sample swatch (a small rectangular piece). To do so:
- Cast on enough stitches so that when they are all knitted up they will be approximately 4 inches wide by 6 inches long. For example, if you want your swatch to be 20 stitches across, cast on 40 sts (20 sts/side) onto one needle or two needles held together
- Knit in plain stockinette stitch (knit every row) for 10cm (4in), then bind off loosely on right side with larger needle or crochet hook
4. Download Knitting Graph Paper
Downloadable knitting graph paper is a great tool for planning your sweater. You can print it out and use it to help you plan your sweater, seeing the pattern in front of you.
It also helps you to see the pattern as it progresses, so that if something looks odd or feels wrong, there’s no confusion about what part of the pattern you’re on.
If a section doesn’t look right, then you know that either there’s something off with your gauge (how many stitches per inch or cm), or perhaps there was an error in copying down the pattern from someone else!
Graph paper provides another function: testing your gauge (see below).
There’s nothing quite like curling up under a warm blanket on a cold winter day. Our collection of Cozy Crochet Blanket Patterns for Winter includes patterns for blankets of all sizes and styles, so you can find the perfect one to keep you cozy all season long.
5. Take It Slow
This can be a daunting task, so take your time. Don’t rush! If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend who has made sweaters before.
Take breaks when you need them and remember that there are always more techniques and patterns available if this one doesn’t work out for you.
6. Steeking For Beginners
Steeking is the process of cutting a sweater in two and knitting it back together. It’s usually done to create armholes, necklines, and even entire sweaters.
For example, the “wrong side” of this cowl is actually the front piece that has been steeked open to create an opening for your head.
If you’re looking for a way to make your knitting more complicated than it needs to be or if you just don’t feel comfortable with this method yet, there are other options available—like ribbing! Ribbing will give you all the stretchiness without having to cut any holes into your knitting.
Steeking for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Choose a pattern that calls for steeking and follow the instructions carefully. |
| Step 2 | Create a swatch and wash it to ensure that your yarn will not shrink or felt when cut. |
| Step 3 | Prepare your knitting by adding stabilizing stitches on either side of the steek. |
| Step 4 | Cut vertically up the center of the steek, being careful not to cut through the stabilizing stitches. |
| Step 5 | Secure the raw edges on either side of the steek with a sewing machine or by hand. |
| Step 6 | Continue knitting as usual, following the pattern instructions, and enjoy your newly steeked garment! |
7. Don’t Get Overwhelmed By Colour-Work
It’s okay to be a little overwhelmed by the prospect of knitting a sweater with lots of colour work. But don’t let it keep you from making awesome sweaters!
There are some simple ways to approach this that will make your life easier, and ensure that you keep your sanity while doing it.
Looking for the perfect pattern to keep you warm this winter? Look no further than our collection of Knit Your Way to Cozy: 15 Warm Hat Patterns, featuring hats of all colors and styles to help you stay warm and stylish all season long
8. Mind Your Edges
Seaming is a great way to finish any edge. It also provides an opportunity to make small adjustments to the fit of your sweater, so that it is just right. Seaming can be done by hand or machine, depending on what type of yarn you’re using and how much time you have.
In order to seam by hand, pick up stitches along the edge and then sew them together with loose ends (or they will be visible). This sounds like a lot more work than it actually is—and once you get into rhythm with seaming, along with knitting itself, it becomes second nature!
9. Choose A Simple Stitch Style
If you’re not sure where to start with your sweater knitting, it’s best to choose a simple stitch style. There are many options and they all have different characteristics.
Knit (K) and Purl (P): These stitches are the basics of knitting, as you can see from their names! They create an even fabric without any holes or bumps in it because they alternate between being on top of each other at different times.
The stockinette stitch is made using both K and P stitches; however, when looking at the front side only one side will show up as knitted while the other side will be purled.
Garter Stitch: This type of pattern creates a flat piece that goes up and down like stripes do! It has no slant to it so if your goal was making something round such as a hat then this would not work well since there’s no slant built into this kind of design..
This is also known as “ribbing” but technically speaking ribbing only refers specifically within garter stitch patterns
| Stitch Style | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Stockinette Stitch | Simple, classic, and easy to knit; creates a smooth, flat fabric with a lovely drape |
| Garter Stitch | Textured and bouncy; knit every row to create a ridged fabric that’s great for scarves and blankets |
| Seed Stitch | Textured and reversible; alternating knit and purl stitches create a bumpy, pebbled pattern |
| Ribbing | Stretchy, elastic, and perfect for cuffs, collars, and hems; knit alternating knit and purl stitches |
| Moss Stitch | Textured and dense; alternating knit and purl stitches create a slightly raised, dotty pattern |
10. Choose Your Pattern Carefully
If you’re going to be knitting a sweater, consider how much time and money you want to invest. To make a good choice, take into account the following:
- Choose a pattern that is suitable for the yarn you have chosen. Not all patterns work with all types of yarns!
- Look for easy-to-read instructions and simple stitch patterns. Patterns that are well written are easier to follow and modify when necessary.
- Think about your own knitting skill level—are there complicated stitches in this particular pattern? How difficult will it be? If it seems too complex, look for another option until your skills improve!
- Make sure that the finished product fits your style (if not, now’s the time to make adjustments).
Lace knitting can seem daunting, but with our Art of Lace Knitting: Techniques and Patterns guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get started with this beautiful knitting technique. From tips for lace knitting to gorgeous patterns to try, this guide has it all
11. Assemble Your Sweater With Care
Once you’ve finished knitting your sweater, it’s time to assemble it. The sewing up process will be the final step in your sweater-making journey and an important one at that.
You’ll be using a sewing needle to weave yarns together, making sure they’re all joined correctly so that they don’t pull apart when being worn.
Once again, this can be tricky if you’re new to knitting (luckily there are lots of tips we’ve included below), so take your time and make sure everything is sewn up properly!
Sewing up isn’t the most exciting part of making a knitted garment—but it does mean that by the end of this step, you’ll have created something wearable from scratch! That’s pretty cool!
12. And Finally… Swatch! (#Whowillswattheswatch)
So, you’ve decided to make a sweater. Awesome—that’s a big decision! But before you get started, there are some things you should know.
First of all: swatching! It’s important to swatch because it helps you identify the gauge of your knitting, and it can tell you if the pattern will fit properly in time for Christmas.
You’ll also need to make sure that your choice of yarn will be kind to your skin and lasts long enough for you not only to wear it but also wash and care for it so that it doesn’t fall apart (which happens more often than one might expect).
This is why we recommend spending time looking at reviews on Ravelry or other online platforms such as Amazon before purchasing any yarns for projects where completion deadlines are an issue (like holiday gifts).
Cable knitting is a classic technique that has been used for centuries to create beautiful and intricate patterns. Our collection of The Beauty of Cable Knitting: 15 Stunning Patterns features a variety of patterns to try, from simple cable patterns to more complex designs that are sure to impress.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide! I know it can be overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it and start to see your sweater come together before your eyes, it will all seem worth it.
Remember to take things slow, and have fun with every step along the way.
Further Reading
If you loved learning about sweater knitting from our Ultimate Guide, here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
Sarah Maker’s Sweater Knitting Patterns: Check out this website for a collection of stylish sweater knitting patterns for every skill level.
Beginner’s Tips and Patterns for Sweater Knitting: Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting out, this article has everything you need to know to get started with sweater knitting, including tips, tricks, and easy-to-follow patterns.
How to Knit a Sweater: This comprehensive article covers everything you need to know to knit a sweater from start to finish, including choosing a pattern, selecting the right materials, and finishing your project like a pro.
FAQs
What types of yarn are best for sweater knitting?
When it comes to yarn for sweater knitting, natural fibers like wool, cotton, and cashmere are popular choices for their durability and comfort.
What are the basic techniques used in sweater knitting?
Sweater knitting typically involves a variety of knitting techniques, including casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, and seaming.
How can I make sure my sweater fits properly?
To ensure a good fit, it’s important to take accurate measurements before you begin knitting and to follow the pattern instructions carefully.
How long does it take to knit a sweater?
The time it takes to knit a sweater can vary depending on the complexity of the pattern and your skill level. However, most sweaters take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete.
How can I care for my knit sweater?
To keep your knit sweater looking its best, it’s important to follow the care instructions on the yarn label and to store it carefully to prevent stretching and snagging.
My name is Hellen James, and I’m a crochet and knitting expert. I’ve been crocheting since I was just a kid, but I started taking it seriously when I realized that it was a great way to de-stress and relax. Now that I have kids of my own, I love teaching them how to do it too!